Pregnant woman found dead in Ashulia; family accuses husband of murder

A 19-year-old pregnant woman was found dead at her residence in Dhaka's Ashulia today (28 February), with her family alleging that her husband killed her following a history of physical abuse.

The deceased was identified as Rumana Akter Rumi, who had been living in a rented house in the Pabnar Tek area with her husband, Billal.

Confirming the incident, Ashulia Police Station Sub-Inspector Shafiqul Alam said police recovered the body after receiving a call through the national emergency service number 999.

"The victim had sharp weapon injuries on her neck and cut wounds on both wrists. Preliminary investigation suggests the murder stemmed from a family dispute. Billal has been on the run since the incident, and efforts are underway to arrest him," the SI said.

"The body has been sent to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital in Dhaka for an autopsy, and preparations are underway to file a case," the officer added.

According to family members, Rumana had slept beside her mother, Jahanara Begum, last night (27 February). Her mother left for work around 6am. About an hour and a half later, she was informed that Billal had allegedly killed Rumana, locked the house and fled. She rushed home and found her daughter's body.

Rumana and Billal had been in a relationship before marrying with family consent about one and a half years ago. After the wedding, she moved to her husband's home in Rangpur.

However, her family alleged that Billal began physically abusing her soon after the marriage. Three months ago, Rumana returned to her mother's home in Ashulia.

Later, Billal came with relatives to take her back. When she refused, his family assured her mother that such incidents would not happen again and left him at the house. Since then, Billal had been living there with Rumana.

Rumana was two months pregnant.